Method and process for signaling, communication and administration of networked objects

ABSTRACT

Systems and processes for communication of messages between one or more networked objects on circuit and packet data networks are described. Specifically, means for representation of various communication types, including content description and disposition rules, delivery and routing descriptions and rules, conversion and translation descriptions and rules, and methods for interactions and for administration over one or more network types, through one or more communication protocol types, to one or more destination types are described. The delivery of messages and other communication over various communication protocols in addition to email is described. Methods for administering and managing rules for directing and transforming said messages and communications for purposes of routing or delivery to one or more specific destinations are also presented.

RELATED MATTERS

This application is a divisional of pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/778,586, filed Jul. 16, 2007, entitled “Method and Process forSignaling, Communication and Administration of Networked Objects”, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/374,629, filedFeb. 26, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,245,611 on Jul. 17, 2007), and whichclaims the benefit of the earlier filing date of provisional applicationSer. No. 60/360,282, filed on Feb. 27, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The various embodiments of the invention relate to the field of unifiedmessaging through circuit and packet data networks.

2. Description of Related Art

Unified messaging has emerged to address the need for combining thedelivery of different types of messages using a single interface. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,638, Rieley et. al., describes a method andapparatus for transmission and retrieval of information such asfacsimile and audio messages over circuit and packet switched networks,specifically via the use of electronic mail. An incoming message (voiceor fax) sent over a circuit switched network is transmitted over apacket switched network, by receiving an incoming call signal along withan inbound address, determining a user account and a final address onthe packet network that are associated with the inbound address, andsending a processed form of the incoming message to an email box of theuser. Another reference is U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,165, Narasimhan, et. al.which describes the use of filtering methods for processing electronicmessages based on pre-defined filtering rules, and forwarding filteredmessages to a receiving destination. Although the above described,patented techniques are quite effective in supporting a message deliveryservice, improvements are needed to provide a wider range of services.

SUMMARY

Systems and processes for communication of messages between one or morenetworked objects on circuit and packet data networks are described.Specifically, means for representation of various communication types,including content description and disposition rules, delivery androuting descriptions and rules, conversion and translation descriptionsand rules, and methods for interactions and for administration over oneor more network types, through one or more communication protocol types,to one or more destination types are described.

The delivery of messages and other communication over variouscommunication protocols in addition to email is described. Methods foradministering and managing rules for directing and transforming saidmessages and communications for purposes of routing or delivery to oneor more specific destinations are also presented.

Protocols used here for the signaling, transport and delivery ofmessages and other communication over communication networks includeelectronic mail (SMTP, POP, IMAP, etc.), instant messaging protocols,session and signaling protocols (e.g. session initiation protocol orSIP) and transport over protocols such as TCP/IP. The use of distributedauthoring and versioning (DAV) protocols is also described for messagedelivery. Authentication and network security techniques in general areused for the delivery of the messages and other communication.

In other embodiments of the invention, mark-up languages that determinethe rules for disposition or presentation of messages or othercommunication between one or more networked objects are used (examplesinclude HTML, XML, etc.). The use of representation methods for unifiedapproaches to document handling, message and communication handling,signaling, routing, security, and other methods of disposition orhandling of interactions and sessions as part of a successfulcommunication transaction are described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system for communication between networked objects,including an end-user interface device.

FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the elements of a preferred embodimentof an end-user interface device.

FIG. 3 illustrates the transport of facsimile messages to an end-userinterface device or other object, via a multiplicity of transports,including electronic mail and instant messaging.

FIG. 4 illustrates the flow of signaling information between variouselements of a preferred embodiment of the invention, for purposes ofmessage delivery or disposition, routing, and handling of variousaspects of communication between one or more end-users or elements ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates how a representation language can be used for thedefinition of the content and structure of the message or communicationand any sub-components of the message or other related communication,and characteristics for determining the disposition of a message orcommunication, as used by a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates how descriptive rules and representation methods canbe used for determining and managing the distribution and routing ofmessages and other communication to one or more end-users.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention forsupporting a message delivery service.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, whereinend-user devices, including telephones 120, 122, data telephones 121,facsimile (fax) devices 130, 132, and computers 140, 141, 143, and othercommunication devices are connected to one or more networks, includingcircuit switched networks 100, data networks 110, 111 or other networks,via switching or routing elements that serve to direct and route data,these elements including circuit switches 101 or data network routers150, 151. The system further comprises one or more communication servers160, 161 that interface with one or more networks, such as circuitswitched networks and data networks, through connections such as trunkinterfaces 115, 116 or other physical or logical connections. In thepreferred embodiment, interface 115 is an E1 or T1 interface capable ofcarrying several simultaneous data or voice connections. Suchconnections are well known in the prior art. Further, the system of thepresent invention includes databases 170, 171, call management systemunits 190, media gateways 152, 153, storage systems 192, directorysystems 194, and security systems for protection of data acrossnetworks, including systems such as firewalls 159. In the preferredembodiment, storage system 192 is an email storage system, or other datastorage and archival system, physically or logically accessible over adata network, through standard network protocols, including but notlimited to SMTP, POP, and IMAP. Directory system 194 may be any standardor proprietary directory system that provides information accessibleover a data network, said information including but not limited to userinformation, profiles, addresses, calendars, and accessible through avariety of protocols, including but not limited to LDAP.

FIG. 2 describes the logical components of an end user device. Here, anend user uses application 240 to communicate or interact with otherelements across a network, such as the ones shown in FIG. 1. ApplicationInterface 235 may be a standardized interface that allows one or moreapplications to interact with the rest of the system components.Application Manager 232 performs the function of managing variousapplications, scheduling resources and connectivity with other elementsof the system. Session Manager 230 is responsible for the management andadministration of communication sessions, between one or more end userdevices, or other elements of the system of the invention, a sessionbeing described as any communication or interaction, of a pre-specifiedor unspecified duration, structured or unstructured, supervised orunsupervised by one or more elements of the system of the presentinvention. Security unit 225 is responsible for handling of security forall aspects of communication, including signaling and data interchangebetween one or more elements of the invention, and being furtherresponsible for various aspects of security, including but not limitedto authentication, integrity, confidentiality, protection, and keymanagement. Unit 225 may also interact with other security elements (notshown) accessible on a data network (110, 111). Monitoring unit 220 isresponsible for the monitoring of various system elements, to ensurethat performance metrics and other parameters that measure and ensuresystem performance are adhered to, and reported to locations that canfurther determine and administer their upkeep. Protocol adapters 245include one or more interfaces to one or more protocols, standard orproprietary, that may be used for the exchange of signaling or datainformation across networks, and between similar or dissimilar end-usersand other elements of the system of the present invention. Theseinclude, but are not limited to POP, IMAP, SMTP, LDAP, SQL, and SIP.Further, numerous applications are available in the art that furtherdescribe interfaces to these applications. Interfaces between theseapplications and the system of the invention are labeled as EnterpriseApplication Adapters 275. Network stack 215 describes these elements ofthe system that provide connectivity to a data network, through one ormore communication protocols, for the exchange of signaling or otherdata information. Physical layer 210 describes the physical medium ofthe end-user interface, through which an end-user communicates.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, wherein a fax messageis sent through the various network elements, and communicated with oneor more end-users. Here, fax machine 326 is used to initiate a telephonecall through switching unit 328 connected to circuit switched networkunit 310. This call is transmitted through trunk interface unit 312, toa media gateway 330. Unit 330 may first digitize the call signalinginformation (if not done already) and then sends the call signalinginformation to call management system 340. The system 340 authenticatesthe call as a valid call intended for a specified end user, e.g. acustomer of a message delivery service that operates the system 340,based on an inbound address specified by the calling fax machine, whichdialed a specific telephone number in order to place the telephone call.This inbound address is identified as being associated with or assignedto one or more specified end-users e.g., customers of the messagedelivery system.

Unit 340 also determines where the incoming call should be routed, fordelivery to an end-user, or to one or more locations specified by anend-user, or through a system of defining rules. Once unit 340 has madea determination on the proper routing of the incoming call, this call isrouted to a specified communication server 342 where it is processed.Simultaneously, or unrelated to these events, unit 340 also determineswhether the end-user that is the intended recipient of the fax incomingcall, is connected on one or more end-user devices that are capable ofreceiving the fax message, or any information pertaining to the fax. Inan embodiment of the invention, unit 340 determines how an end-user isavailable, through an instant messaging client end-user device. Such anend-user can be available on computer unit 322 that is running aninstant message client program. In that case, status messages pertainingto the receipt of the fax message may be sent to unit 322.

Unit 322, and in particular via the instant messaging client program,may then request further information pertaining to the received faxmessage, and may even further request a routing of the fax message toone or more other end-user devices. For example, the end-user mayrequest that a copy of the fax be sent to his instant messaging client,along with an additional copy of the fax being sent to his email storagesystem. This request is sent to unit 340, which further instructscommunication server 342 to send a copy of the fax message to unit 322,along with a further copy to message storage unit 336, which representsthe email storage unit specified by the end-user.

In the process described by FIG. 3, a system of signaling makes itpossible for the interchange of data. This signaling flow is shown inFIG. 4, illustrating the same example as in FIG. 3. Here, an incomingcall from unit 326 causes an incoming call signal to be sent to unit330, which further routes the information to call management system unit340. Unit 340 determines the appropriate routing for the incoming call,and signals the media gateway unit 330 to redirect the incoming call tocommunication server unit 342. Unit 342 accepts the incoming call, andhence, communication is established between units 326 and 342, allowingthe receipt of the fax message by unit 342. In this process, unit 340remains on the path of the signaling information, and is aware of thestatus of the message being received.

Unit 340 may signal to one or more end-users to determine whether theyare connected and available to receive messages or other communication.This signaling may be accomplished through one or more protocols,including the use of an instant messaging protocol. Through thisprocess, unit 340 determines that unit 322 is available to receivemessages. Hence, it further directs status messages pertaining to thereceived fax message to unit 322. Subsequently, unit 322 signals via aninstant messaging protocol, to unit 340, requesting that a copy of thefax message be sent to it, and further requesting that a copy of the faxbe sent to a specified email address. Unit 340 then instructs unit 342to transmit a copy of the fax, via an instant messaging protocol, tounit 322. Further, it instructs unit 342 to send a copy of the faxmessage via SMTP to a message storage unit 336.

The process of signaling and communication described in the embodimentof FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 can be enhanced with the use of security methods,wherein, utilizing the unit 225 of FIG. 2, communication between one ormore elements of the invention can be authenticated and encrypted.Further, within the network protocols that enable transmission ofsignals and data across a data network, such as implemented in thenetwork stack 215 of FIG. 2, IPsec, a known set of protocols in the art,for network security, is overlaid upon the communication of FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 via unit 225. Communication between some or all elements withinthe data network can be secured through the use of such securitymethods.

Within the system of the invention, communication, messages or documentsthat are to be transmitted from one or more elements of the network toanother sometimes require to be translated or modified, either in theircontent, or in their signaling methods, or otherwise encapsulated in away that permits their transmission across one or more networks,protocols or other media. The embodiment described here permits suchoperations to be performed, wherein rules or other directives areinterpreted by the call management system 190 of FIG. 1 or within thesession manager 230 of FIG. 2, or the communication server 342 of FIG. 3or FIG. 4. One or more representation languages described further belowmay also represent these translations, adaptations or encapsulations, ordirectives.

One of several signaling mechanisms may be used to establishcommunication such as those described in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In oneembodiment, a representation language is utilized to specify informationpertaining to the incoming message. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates useof this language. Here, a number of element tags (such as 410, 420, 430,440, 432, 434, 442, 444, 446, 448) are used to specify specific elementsof the message, along with specific attributes (412, 414, 422) thatfurther describe each element tag. Specifically, tag 410 describes thatan incoming call was received from location phone number 12125551212,with a specified destination phone number (or inbound address) of13235551313, and that the call was received at 11:19 GMT-7:00 hours. Tag420 specifies that the received message is required to be sent to adestination email address joe@mywork.net. There is also tag 430 whichdescribes more information about the customer who is the intendedrecipient of the incoming message. This includes information such as thecustomer ID (tag 432), and an authentication PIN number (tag 434).Another tag 440 describes that the message received has a uniqueidentifier “192.168.1.101-98-0.p64”, and that the message is a voicemessage, of a pre-specified format 7, and that its duration is 67seconds. Information described in this format provides instructions toone or more elements of the invention, allowing them to determine howbest to process and route a message.

The representation language shown in FIG. 5 can also be used todetermine routing and disposition of calls and messages. This aspect isdescribed in FIG. 6, through the use of tags and attributes. Here, tag510 describes the instructions that follow as pertaining to the handlingof a call. Starting with tag 520, this tag describes that theinstructions pertain to calls received on behalf of destination address13235551313@j2.com, and that a timeout period of 7 seconds is prescribedfor the following rules. Next, tag 530 describes the rules furtherspecified within the structure of the 7-second timeout description.Here, if a call is received from phone number 12125551212 (specified bytag 532), then the call should be routed to a destination phone number13238609200 (specified by tag 534). Otherwise, the call should be routedto destination phone 13235551313 (specified by tag 539). Further, tag540 specifies that if the called number (also reflected in tag 520) isbusy, then the incoming call should be redirected (specified by tag 542)to a destination 13235551313@comserver2.com, which may be an alternateserver (or media gateway) on the data network to receive and process thecall.

Instructions of the format specified in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, areillustrative of the representations and signaling methods used by thesystem of the invention.

The invention described above lies in systems and processes forcommunication of not just messages, but also documents, or otherinformation or interaction between one or more networked objects oncircuit and packet data networks. The means for representation ofvarious communication types include content description and dispositionrules, delivery and routing descriptions and rules, conversion andtranslation descriptions and rules, and methods for interactions and foradministration over one or more network types, through one or morecommunication protocol types, to one or more destination types.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a block diagram of another embodiment of theinvention for supporting a message delivery service is shown. Thisfigure will be used to describe both inbound and outbound services,where the inbound service delivers a received voice, facsimile or othertype of message, originating in a telephone circuit switched network704, is delivered to an end user machine 708 or 712. The outboundservice allows an audio, video, fax, or other type of message tooriginate in a data network, e.g. via an instant messaging network 716,a corporate data network 720, and a “public” data network such as theInternet 724, where the messages are then translated into a formatsuitable for playback or display by either a telephone, facsimilemachine or other receiver that can be accessed via the telephone circuitswitched network 704.

The translation between the circuit switched network 704 and the messagedelivery service data network 728 is performed using a media gateway732. The media gateway 732 may digitize incoming analog phone or faxcall signals. In addition, the gateway 732 may translate a message thatmay be received in multiple packets through the data network 728 into aformat suitable for fax-tone transmission to a facsimile device 736, orsuitable for transmission to a land phone or a mobile phone 744 that maynot be accessible directly through the data network 728. A callmanagement system 748 as a node of the message delivery service datanetwork 728 serves to manage the inbound and outbound services, so thatmessages from incoming calls are delivered to the appropriate end usermachine 708 or 712, as well as the reverse in which messages originatingfrom an end user machine on a data network are transmitted to thenon-data network receivers.

FIG. 7 also is used to describe an embodiment of the invention in whichthe DAV protocol, in particular, WebDAV, is used for the leg of themessage delivery route that ends or originates with the end usermachine. As an example, consider an incoming call signal which includesa message, directed to an inbound address of a registered end user. Themedia gateway 732 digitizes the message, and sends the message as a MIMEe-mail message to a translation gateway 752. There, the message isfurther translated and sent to a DAV file store 756, in a DAV documentformat. An end user, via a DAV client program 760, may then access thefile and play back or display the message. This assumes that the enduser or her DAV client program was previously notified by the messagedelivery service that an inbound message has been received on herbehalf. This type of notification may be performed using SIP, where aclient program that has an SIP address registered with the messagedelivery service is contacted by a server of the message deliveryservice and may, for example, display a pop-up box on the end user'smachine 712 stating that an incoming message has been received. The usermay then instruct her client program to retrieve the message off the DAVfile store 756.

Note that although in FIG. 7 the DAV file store 756 is shown as a nodeof the message delivery service network 728, an alternative would be toprovide the DAV file store 756 as a node of the corporate data network720. In that case, the end user's machine 712 would be a node of thecorporate data network 720 and could have access to the DAV file store756 though a secure connection maintained by the user's corporation ororganization.

A further advantage of the DAV mechanism for the end-user leg of thecommunication path is that the tags of the mark-up language shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 (e.g. XML tags which are attached to a document thatcontains the message) can be reused by the DAV mechanism, as anattribute of the file containing the message. In a particular scenario,one of the XML tags may include a docket number that is conventionallyused by law firms to associate a document or task with a particularclient and/or matter. Thus, the end user could add the docket number asan attribute of the DAV file that contains the message which she hasrecognized to be associated with the docket number. In this manner, theuser may search the DAV file store 756 for messages that are associatedwith a given docket number. This feature allows the message deliveryservice to provide more focused billing information to the end user,sorting the incoming and outgoing messages by their docket numbers. Thisfeature may be very attractive for business end users, and particularlythose in the legal field which need to associate each communication witha certain client and/or matter number, for purposes of billing. It cantherefore be appreciated that the use of DAV in the message deliveryservice architecture described above provides a much more flexibleinterface for the end user than e-mail.

For purposes of explanation, specific embodiments were set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However,these embodiments merely illustrate the principles of the invention. Itwill thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able todevise various arrangements, which, although not explicitly described orshown herein, embody the principles of the invention, and are includedwithin its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditionallanguage that have been recited herein are principally intendedexpressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader inunderstanding the principles of the invention and the conceptscontributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to beconstrued as being without limitation to such specifically recitedexamples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein recitingprinciples, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well asspecific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural andfunctional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that suchequivalents include both currently known equivalents as well asequivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed thatperform the same function, regardless of structure. Thus, for example,it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the blockdiagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitryembodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will beappreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, pseudocode and the likerepresent various processes which may be substantially represented incomputer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor,whether or not explicitly shown.

The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, includingfunctional blocks labeled as “processors” or “servers” may be providedthrough the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable ofexecuting software in association with appropriate software. Whenprovided by a processor, server or computer, the functions may beprovided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor,or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared.Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor”, “server”, or “computer”should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable ofexecuting software, and may implicitly include, without limitation,digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) forstoring software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage.Other hardware and/or software, conventional and/or custom, may also beincluded.

In the claims below, any element expressed as a means for performing aspecified function is intended to encompass any way of performing thatfunction including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elementswhich performs that function or b) software in any form, including,therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with appropriatecircuitry for executing that software to perform the function. Theinvention as defined by such claims resides in the fact that thefunctionalities provided by the various recited means are combined andbrought together in the manner which the claims call for. Applicant thusregards any means, which can provide these functionalities as beingequivalent to those shown herein.

1. A system comprising: a first set of communication servers to becoupled to a first set of switches of a first circuit switched network,for receiving a first set of incoming call signals, wherein the firstset of incoming call signals are from a first origin and include a firstinbound address identifying a first destination of said first set ofincoming call signals wherein said first set of communication serversare to be further coupled to a first data network and containing amessage processing resource configured to receive and process said firstset of incoming call signals into a first digital representation,wherein each communication server is coupled to said first circuitswitched network to extract the first inbound address, and said messageprocessing resource being further configured to determine, based on thefirst inbound address, a) a first set of attributes that define adisposition of said first set of incoming call signals and how to sendthe first digital representation of said first set of incoming callsignals to said first destination, b) and via an instant messagingprotocol whether a user is connected to the first set of communicationservers by a device that can accept a message obtained from the incomingcall signals.